Automatic remote execution of an application

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a method of preparing and launching a test application on a first machine that is automatically executed on a second machine. A developer can prepare a test application on the first machine, and instead of the developer performing multiple steps to copy the test program to a second machine and set up the test environment, the method can automatically detect test environment data, and transmit the test application and the test environment data. Test environment data can include the directory of where the test program should be installed and executed. The test application can be run on the second machine and the results can be returned to the first machine where they can be displayed to the developer.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 61/770,967, entitled “AUTOMATIC REMOTE EXECUTION OF ANAPPLICATION,” filed on Feb. 28, 2013, which is incorporated herein byreference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present technology pertains to executing an application on a remotedevice, and more specifically pertains to preparing and launching a testapplication on a first device that is automatically executed on a seconddevice.

BACKGROUND

Application testing can be a tedious process that often necessitatesexecuting a test on a remote device. For example, a test can be composedon a source device that is executing a first operating system, but itmay be necessary to perform the test on a number of different operatingsystems or different configurations. One option could be reconfigure thesource device and/or install the different operating systems, but aneasier approach may be to have remote systems already configured. To runthe test on the remote devices, the test must be manually copied to theremote devices. In another example, it may be undesirable to execute thetest on the source device because it could result in changing theconfiguration of the source device, e.g. installing new files, deletingfiles, changing settings, etc. In this case, a remote device can be usedfor the testing and can be reset without disrupting a developer'sdevice.

Often the testing process can require multiple iterations of changing anapplication and running a test, which can lead to repeatedly manuallycopying one or more files to the remote device. The repeated manualcopying not only involves overhead for the developer, but can alsoresult in costly testing errors. For example, during the testing processa developer may forget to copy a file or update a copy of a file on theremote device. In another example, a developer may manually copy a fileto a wrong location. In both of these cases, a developer may waste timetrying to identify the source of an unexpected test result.

SUMMARY

Additional features and advantages of the disclosure will be set forthin the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from thedescription, or can be learned by practice of the herein disclosedprinciples. The features and advantages of the disclosure can berealized and obtained by means of the instruments and combinationsparticularly pointed out in the appended claims. These and otherfeatures of the disclosure will become more fully apparent from thefollowing description and appended claims, or can be learned by thepractice of the principles set forth herein.

Disclosed are systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readablestorage media for automatically executing an application on a remotedevice. The automatic remote execution decreases the burden of having torepeatedly manually copy one or more files to a remote device, such aswhen testing an application. Additionally, the automatic remoteexecution decreases the chance of developer error that can lead tounexpected test results and wasted debugging times. For example,developer error can occur when a developer forgets to copy a file orupdate a copy of a file on the remote device, or when a file is copiedto a wrong location. To accomplish the automatic remote execution, atesting platform on a first device can be configured to automaticallydetermine test environment data in response to receiving a request toremotely execute a test application. The test environment data caninclude a variety of data items, such as installation location for thetest application, one or more test input files, configuration settings,etc. In some cases, the test environment data can be gathered fromcommand line parameters. However, the test environment data can also begathered from the testing platform environment, such as the testapplication installation location or configuration settings.

After the test environment data has been gathered, the testing platformcan transmit the test application and the test environment data to theremote device thus causing the test application to be installed on theremote device based on the test environment data. For example, the testapplication can be installed at a location on the remote device based onan installation location specified in the test environment data. Inanother example, the testing platform can cause one or moreconfiguration values to be set based on configuration informationspecified in the test environment data. Once the test application andany supporting data has been installed/configured, the testing platformcan cause the test application to be executed on the remote device, suchas by sending a run or execute command to the remote device. Any outputdata from the test application executing on the remote device can bedisplayed on the local device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to describe the manner in which the above-recited and otheradvantages and features of the disclosure can be obtained, a moreparticular description of the principles briefly described above will berendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which areillustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawingsdepict only exemplary embodiments of the disclosure and are nottherefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the principlesherein are described and explained with additional specificity anddetail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate an exemplary configuration of devices and anetwork;

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary exchange of information during anautomatic test execution on a remote device;

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary user interface for an automatic testexecution on a remote device;

FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary first method embodiment; and

FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary second method embodiment.

DESCRIPTION

Various embodiments of the disclosure are discussed in detail below.While specific implementations are discussed, it should be understoodthat this is done for illustration purposes only. A person skilled inthe relevant art will recognize that other components and configurationsmay be used without parting from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.

The disclosed technology addresses the need in the art for a way toprepare and launch a test on a local device and have that testautomatically executed on a remote device without requiring a developerto manually copy the test application and any associated files to theremote device. The disclosure first sets forth a discussion of a basicgeneral purpose system or computing device in FIG. 1A and 1B that can beemployed to practice the concepts disclosed herein before returning to amore detailed description of automatically executing a test applicationon a remote device.

FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B illustrate exemplary possible system embodiments.The more appropriate embodiment will be apparent to those of ordinaryskill in the art when practicing the present technology. Persons ofordinary skill in the art will also readily appreciate that other systemembodiments are possible.

FIG. 1A illustrates a conventional system bus computing systemarchitecture 100 wherein the components of the system are in electricalcommunication with each other using a bus 105. Exemplary system 100includes a processing unit (CPU or processor) 110 and a system bus 105that couples various system components including the system memory 115,such as read only memory (ROM) 120 and random access memory (RAM) 125,to the processor 110. The system 100 can include a cache of high-speedmemory connected directly with, in close proximity to, or integrated aspart of the processor 110. The system 100 can copy data from the memory115 and/or the storage device 130 to the cache 112 for quick access bythe processor 110. In this way, the cache can provide a performanceboost that avoids processor 110 delays while waiting for data. These andother modules can control or be configured to control the processor 110to perform various actions. Other system memory 115 may be available foruse as well. The memory 115 can include multiple different types ofmemory with different performance characteristics. The processor 110 caninclude any general purpose processor and a hardware module or softwaremodule, such as module 1 132, module 2 134, and module 3 136 stored instorage device 130, configured to control the processor 110 as well as aspecial-purpose processor where software instructions are incorporatedinto the actual processor design. The processor 110 may essentially be acompletely self-contained computing system, containing multiple cores orprocessors, a bus, memory controller, cache, etc. A multi-core processormay be symmetric or asymmetric.

To enable user interaction with the computing device 100, an inputdevice 145 can represent any number of input mechanisms, such as amicrophone for speech, a touch-sensitive screen for gesture or graphicalinput, keyboard, mouse, motion input, speech and so forth. An outputdevice 135 can also be one or more of a number of output mechanismsknown to those of skill in the art. In some instances, multimodalsystems can enable a user to provide multiple types of input tocommunicate with the computing device 100. The communications interface140 can generally govern and manage the user input and system output.There is no restriction on operating on any particular hardwarearrangement and therefore the basic features here may easily besubstituted for improved hardware or firmware arrangements as they aredeveloped.

Storage device 130 is a non-volatile memory and can be a hard disk orother types of computer readable media which can store data that areaccessible by a computer, such as magnetic cassettes, flash memorycards, solid state memory devices, digital versatile disks, cartridges,random access memories (RAMs) 125, read only memory (ROM) 120, andhybrids thereof.

The storage device 130 can include software modules 132, 134, 136 forcontrolling the processor 110. Other hardware or software modules arecontemplated. The storage device 130 can be connected to the system bus105. In one aspect, a hardware module that performs a particularfunction can include the software component stored in acomputer-readable medium in connection with the necessary hardwarecomponents, such as the processor 110, bus 105, display 135, and soforth, to carry out the function.

FIG. 1B illustrates a computer system 150 having a chipset architecturethat can be used in executing the described method and generating anddisplaying a graphical user interface (GUI). Computer system 150 is anexample of computer hardware, software, and firmware that can be used toimplement the disclosed technology. System 150 can include a processor155, representative of any number of physically and/or logicallydistinct resources capable of executing software, firmware, and hardwareconfigured to perform identified computations. Processor 155 cancommunicate with a chipset 160 that can control input to and output fromprocessor 155. In this example, chipset 160 outputs information tooutput 165, such as a display, and can read and write information tostorage device 170, which can include magnetic media, and solid statemedia, for example. Chipset 160 can also read data from and write datato RAM 175. A bridge 180 for interfacing with a variety of userinterface components 185 can be provided for interfacing with chipset160. Such user interface components 185 can include a keyboard, amicrophone, touch detection and processing circuitry, a pointing device,such as a mouse, and so on. In general, inputs to system 150 can comefrom any of a variety of sources, machine generated and/or humangenerated.

Chipset 160 can also interface with one or more communication interfaces190 that can have different physical interfaces. Such communicationinterfaces can include interfaces for wired and wireless local areanetworks, for broadband wireless networks, as well as personal areanetworks. Some applications of the methods for generating, displaying,and using the GUI disclosed herein can include receiving ordereddatasets over the physical interface or be generated by the machineitself by processor 155 analyzing data stored in storage 170 or 175.Further, the machine can receive inputs from a user via user interfacecomponents 185 and execute appropriate functions, such as browsingfunctions by interpreting these inputs using processor 155.

It can be appreciated that exemplary systems 100 and 150 can have morethan one processor 110 or be part of a group or cluster of computingdevices networked together to provide greater processing capability.

Having disclosed some components of a computing system, the disclosurenow turns to a discussion of automatically executing a test applicationon a remote device. A person skilled in the art will recognize that thatwhile the disclosure frequently uses a test application to illustratethe disclosed technology, automatic execution on a remote device can beapplied to any type of application that is developed on a local device,but a developer wishes to execute it on a remote device.

To enable the automatic execution of an application on a second devicefrom a first device, the first device can be configured with a computerexecutable testing platform application. The testing platformapplication can allow a user to execute a test application locally orremotely. For example, the testing platform can be configured with oneor more flags that a user can specify to indicate where the testapplication should be executed. If remote execution is specified anidentifier for the remote device can be supplied.

Upon determining that the test application should be executed on aremote device, the testing platform can automatically identify testenvironment data. The test environment data can include such informationas the installation location, e.g. absolute or relative file path; oneor more test input files; installation location(s) for the one or moretest input files; configuration settings; and/or any other automaticallydiscoverable data relevant to the execution of the test application.

After identifying the test environment data, the testing platform cantransmit the test and the test environment data to the remote device. Insome cases, prior or in conjunction with transmitting the test and testenvironment data, the testing platform may be required to supply userlog in credentials. The user credentials can be obtained in a number ofdifferent ways, such as through a command line option, a file on thefirst device, contained in the test application, etc.

Using the test environment data, the testing platform can cause the testapplication to be installed on the second device in a manner that minorsthe installation on the first device. That is, the test application canbe installed on the second device such that executing the testapplication on the second device replicates running the test applicationon the first device.

Once the test application is installed and the environment configured,the testing platform can cause the second device to execute the testapplication. For example, the first device can transmit a run command tothe second device. As the test application executes on the seconddevice, the results can be displayed on the first device.

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary configuration of first and seconddevices for automatically executing a test application on a seconddevice. Local device 202 can be configured with testing platformapplication 204. At some point, testing application 204 can receive arequest to run a test application. The request can specify the testapplication as well as an indication that the test should be executed ona remote device, such as remote device 206. Remote device 206 can beconnected to local device 202 using a variety of techniques, such as awide-area network connection, a local area network connection,Bluetooth, a direct cable connecting the two devices, etc.

In response to the request to execute the test on the remote device,test platform 204 can identify the test environment data and establish aconnection with the remote device. In some cases, establishing aconnection can require supplying log in credentials. Once the connectionis established, test platform 204 can transmit the test application andtest environment data to the remote device. For example, testingplatform 204 can issue a copy command that transfers the testapplication to the remote device and stores it at a location specifiedin the test environment data. After the test application has beeninstalled on the remote device, the testing platform can cause theremote device to execute the test application. For example, testingplatform 204 can transmit a run command to the remote device specifyingthe test application, as well as any necessary parameters, such as inputfiles or settings.

As the program executes on the remote device, the output from the testapplication can be displayed on the local device. For example, the testoutput data can be transmitted back to the local device or reflected ina user interface window that displays the remote device's executionenvironment, such as a terminal window.

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary user interface for a testing platform,such as testing platform 204 in FIG. 2. Testing platform 204 can includetwo sub-windows 302 and 304 to display the execution environment of thelocal device and the remote device, respectively. In this example,testing platform 204 is executing a simple test application that simplyprints the name of the device on which the test application is executingand “hello.” Initially, the test application is run on the local deviceas reflected in test output 306 in local device display 302. Next, thesame test application is invoked as a remote test, as reflected incommand line instructions 308. In response to command line instructions308, testing platform 204 gathers the test environment data andestablishes a connection with the remote device. The test application isinstalled on the remote device based on the test environment data. Thentesting platform 204 issues a command to the remote device to run thetest, as reflected in command line instruction 310 in remote devicedisplay 304. The results of executing the test are displayed in remotedevice display 304. In this case, test output 312 reflects that the testwas executed on the remote device. Finally, after the test completes,testing platform 204 can close the connection with the remote device.

In some cases, establishing a connection to the remote device can occurprior to receiving a command to execute a test application. For example,testing platform 204 can receive a specific request to establish aconnection with a particular remote device. After the connection isestablished, testing platform 204 can receive one or more commands toexecute one or more test applications on the remote device. Theconnection to the remote device can remain open until testing platform204 receives an explicit request to close the connection.

In some cases, a first device and second device may be of differingplatforms or running different operating systems. In this case, theformat of one or more data items in the test environment data may bedifferent for the different devices. It may still be desirable to beable to automatically execute a test application on the second device.To accomplish this, the testing platform can be configured to translatethe test environment data from a first format suitable for the firstdevice to a second format suitable for the second device. For example, afile path on a first device may use “/” to separate the different levelsof the file path, while a file path on the second device may use “\”. Inthis case, the testing platform can translate the file path by replacing“/” with “\”.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary method 400 forautomatically executing a test application on a remote device. For thesake of clarity, this method is discussed in terms of an exemplarydevice configuration such as is shown in FIG. 2. Although specific stepsare shown in FIG. 4, in other embodiments a method can have more or lesssteps than shown.

The automatic execution of a test application on a remote device beginswhen testing platform 204 on a local device receives a request toexecute a test application (402). In some cases, the request can specifya remote device, such as when a connection to a remote device has notyet been established. After receiving the request, testing platform 204identifies test environment data (404). In some cases, a testenvironment data item can be obtained from a command line parameter,such as a test input file. However, testing platform 204 can alsoautomatically determine one or more test environment data items based onthe test environment of the local device. For example, testing platform204 can identify the installation location for the test applicationbased on the installation location on the local device. In anotherexample, testing platform 204 can determine configuration settings froma configuration file on the local device.

Once testing platform 204 has identified test environment data, testingplatform 204 can transmit the test application and the test environmentdata to the remote device (406) where the test application can beinstalled based on the test environment data. For example, the testapplication can be installed on the remote device based on ainstallation location specified in the test environment data. In anotherexample, the test environment data can specify one or more test inputfiles and their installation location.

After the test application and any supporting data has been installed onthe remote device, testing platform 204 can cause the test applicationto be executed on the remote device (408). For example, testing platformcan send a run command to the remote device. As the test applicationexecutes on the remote device, the output from the test application canbe displayed in testing platform 204 on the local device (410), such asthrough a user interface similar to FIG. 3. After completing step 410,the computing system can resume previous processing, which can includerepeating method 400.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary method 500 forautomatically executing a test application on a remote device. For thesake of clarity, this method is discussed in terms of an exemplarydevice configuration such as is shown in FIG. 2. Although specific stepsare shown in FIG. 5, in other embodiments a method can have more or lesssteps than shown.

The automatic execution of a test application on a remote device canbegin when testing platform 204 receives a request to execute a testapplication (502). In some cases, the request can specify a remotedevice, such as when a connection to a remote device has not yet beenestablished. Alternatively, prior to receiving the request to executethe test application, testing platform 204 may receive a request toestablish a connection with the remote device.

After receiving the request to execute the test application, testingplatform 204 can identify test environment data (504). In some cases, atest environment data item can be obtained from a command lineparameter, such as a test input file. However, testing platform 204 canalso automatically determine one or more test environment data itemsbased on the test environment of the local device. For example, testingplatform 204 can identify the installation location for the testapplication based on the installation location on the local device. Inanother example, testing platform 204 can determine configurationsettings from a configuration file on the local device.

Once testing platform 204 has identified test environment data, testingplatform 204 can determine whether the local device and the remotedevice have different configurations (506), such as when the two devicesare executing different operating systems. If the two devices aredifferent, testing platform 204 can translate any test environment dataitems that require a different format on the remote device (508).

Once the test environment data is in a proper format for the remotedevice, testing platform 204 can transmit the test application and thetest environment data to the remote device (510) where the testapplication can be installed based on the test environment data. Forexample, the test application can be installed on the remote devicebased on a installation location specified in the test environment data.In another example, the test environment data can specify one or moretest input files and their installation location.

After the test application and any supporting data has been installed onthe remote device, testing platform 204 can cause the test applicationto be executed on the remote device (512). For example, testing platformcan send a run command to the remote device. As the test applicationexecutes on the remote device, the output from the test application canbe displayed in testing platform 204 on the local device (514), suchthrough a user interface similar to FIG. 3. In some cases, after thetest application has completed execution, testing platform 204 can closethe connection with the remote device. Alternatively, after one or moretest applications have been executed on the remote device, testingplatform 204 can receive a request to close the connection with theremote device. After completing step 514, the computing system canresume previous processing, which can include repeating method 500.

For clarity of explanation, in some instances the present technology maybe presented as including individual functional blocks includingfunctional blocks comprising devices, device components, steps orroutines in a method embodied in software, or combinations of hardwareand software.

In some embodiments the computer-readable storage devices, mediums, andmemories can include a cable or wireless signal containing a bit streamand the like. However, when mentioned, non-transitory computer-readablestorage media expressly exclude media such as energy, carrier signals,electromagnetic waves, and signals per se.

Methods according to the above-described examples can be implementedusing computer-executable instructions that are stored or otherwiseavailable from computer readable media. Such instructions can comprise,for example, instructions and data which cause or otherwise configure ageneral purpose computer, special purpose computer, or special purposeprocessing device to perform a certain function or group of functions.Portions of computer resources used can be accessible over a network.The computer executable instructions may be, for example, binaries,intermediate format instructions such as assembly language, firmware, orsource code. Examples of computer-readable media that may be used tostore instructions, information used, and/or information created duringmethods according to described examples include magnetic or opticaldisks, flash memory, USB devices provided with non-volatile memory,networked storage devices, and so on.

Devices implementing methods according to these disclosures can comprisehardware, firmware and/or software, and can take any of a variety ofform factors. Typical examples of such form factors include laptops,smart phones, small form factor personal computers, personal digitalassistants, and so on. Functionality described herein also can beembodied in peripherals or add-in cards. Such functionality can also beimplemented on a circuit board among different chips or differentprocesses executing in a single device, by way of further example.

The instructions, media for conveying such instructions, computingresources for executing them, and other structures for supporting suchcomputing resources are means for providing the functions described inthese disclosures.

Although a variety of examples and other information was used to explainaspects within the scope of the appended claims, no limitation of theclaims should be implied based on particular features or arrangements insuch examples, as one of ordinary skill would be able to use theseexamples to derive a wide variety of implementations. Further andalthough some subject matter may have been described in languagespecific to examples of structural features and/or method steps, it isto be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claimsis not necessarily limited to these described features or acts. Forexample, such functionality can be distributed differently or performedin components other than those identified herein. Rather, the describedfeatures and steps are disclosed as examples of components of systemsand methods within the scope of the appended claims.

1. A computer-implemented method comprising: receiving at a first devicea request to execute a test application on a remote device; identifying,via a processor, test environment data, the test environment dataincluding an installation location for the test application;transmitting the test application and the test environment data to theremote device; and causing the test application to be executed on theremote device based on the test environment data.
 2. The method of claim1 further comprising: displaying on the first device an output of theexecution of the test application on the remote device.
 3. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the first device is executing a first operating systemand the remote device is executing a second operating system.
 4. Themethod of claim 3, wherein identifying test environment data furthercomprises: translating the test environment data from a first format forthe first operating system to a second format for the second operatingsystem.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein transmitting the testapplication and the test environment data further comprises: installingthe test application on the remote device based on the test environmentdata, whereby installation on the remote device mirrors installation onthe first device and execution of the test application on the remotedevice replicates execution of the application on the first device. 6.The method of claim 1, wherein causing the test application to beexecuted further comprises: transmitting a run command to the remotedevice.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the test environment datafurther includes at least one test input file.
 8. The method of claim 1,wherein the request further includes at least one of an identifier forthe remote device or user credentials for the remote device.
 9. Themethod of claim 8, wherein transmitting the test application and thetest environment data further comprises: logging in to the remote deviceusing the user credentials.
 10. The method of claim 1 furthercomprising: prior to receiving a request to execute a test applicationon a remote device, receiving a request to establish a connection withthe remote device; and at some point after causing the test applicationto execute on the remote device, receiving a request to close theconnection with the remote device.
 11. A testing platform comprising: anon-transitory computer-readable storage medium; and a computerexecutable instruction stored on the non-transitory computer-readablestorage medium which, when executed by a computing device, causes thecomputing device to perform a method comprising: receiving a request toexecute a test application on a remote device; in response to therequest, automatically identifying test environment data, the testenvironment data including an installation location for the testapplication; issuing a copy command that transfers the test applicationand the test environment data to the remote device and stores it at alocation specified in the test environment data; and causing the testapplication to be executed on the remote device based on the testenvironment data.
 12. The testing platform of claim 11, whereintransmitting the test application and the test environment data furthercomprises: installing the test application on the remote device at alocation based on an installation location specified in the testenvironment data.
 13. The testing platform of claim 11, whereintransmitting the test application and the test environment data furthercomprises: causing one or more configuration values to be set on theremote device based on configuration information specified in the testenvironment data.
 14. The testing platform of claim 11 furthercomprising: displaying on the first device an output of the execution ofthe test application on the remote device.
 15. The testing platform ofclaim 11, wherein causing the test application to be executed furthercomprises: transmitting a run command to the remote device.
 16. A systemcomprising: a processor; a first module configured to control theprocessor to receive a first request to execute an application on aremote device; a second module configured to control the processor toautomatically identify first environment data, in response to therequest, the first environment data including a first installationlocation for the application; a third module configured to control theprocessor to transmit the application and the first environment data tothe remote device; and a fourth module configured to control theprocessor to cause the application to be executed on the remote devicebased on the first environment data.
 17. The system of claim 16 furthercomprising: a fifth module configured to control the processor todisplay a graphical user interface presenting a first executionenvironment and a second execution environment, the first executionenvironment displaying local execution output and the second executionenvironment displaying execution output of the test application on theremote device.
 18. The system of claim 16 further comprising: a fifthmodule configured to control the processor to establish a connection tothe remote device, wherein establishing the connection occurs prior toreceiving a request to execute an application on the remote device. 19.The system of claim 18 further comprising: the first module configuredto control the processor to receive a second request to execute theapplication on a remote device; the second module configured to controlthe processor to automatically identify second environment data, inresponse to the second request, the second environment data including asecond installation location for the application; the third moduleconfigured to control the processor to transmit the application and thesecond environment data to the remote device; and the fourth moduleconfigured to control the processor to cause the application to beexecuted on the remote device based on the second environment data. 20.The system of claim 18 further comprising: a sixth module configured tocontrol the processor to close the connection with the remote device,wherein closing the connection occurs after causing the test applicationto execute on the remote device.